Eighteen months before Apollo 13 even launched, a simple mistake created a hidden vulnerability. In October 1968, an oxygen tank was accidentally dropped about 5 centimeters at a factory. While it showed no external damage, an internal tube was jarred loose. This had huge consequences during a pre-launch test in March 1970. Technicians ran the tank's heater on incorrect voltage, causing a switch to weld shut. For eight hours, the internal wiring was cooked at over 538 degrees Celsius, destroying its insulation. The oxygen tank, now a hidden bomb waiting for a spark, was cleared for flight. No one knew the mission was compromised before it even left the ground.
Apollo 13: A Successful Failure
An explosion 330,000 km from Earth turned Apollo 13 into a desperate, ingenious race against time to bring three astronauts home alive.
Chapter 1
The Hidden Flaw
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Frequently Asked Questions
What caused the explosion on Apollo 13?
The explosion was caused by a damaged oxygen tank. About 18 months before the mission, the tank was dropped, jarring an internal tube. This led to faulty wiring being baked at over 500 degrees Celsius during a test, which caused a short circuit when the tank's fans were stirred in space.
How did the astronauts survive after the main spacecraft lost power?
The three-man crew used the two-man Lunar Module, named Aquarius, as a 'lifeboat.' They survived for four days by shutting down most systems to save power and severely rationing water. NASA engineers also devised a way for them to build a CO2 filter out of spare parts.
Why is Apollo 13 called a 'successful failure'?
Although the mission failed to land on the Moon, it was a profound success in crisis management. It demonstrated NASA's ability to solve a catastrophic, life-threatening failure in deep space and bring the crew home safely against all odds.
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